With its lengthy global cinema run finally drawing to an end after raking in more than half a billion dollars, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to make its way onto home video in a range of options that include no less than three different 4K Blu-ray versions.
Set to go on sale on October 14 (following a September 23 digital streaming release), The Fantastic Four: First Steps has the potential to deliver a particularly spectacular picture and sound performance on 4K Blu-ray. Especially as Disney/Marvel has confirmed that the version of the film being mastered to 4K Blu-ray will include a Dolby Vision HDR video master accompanied by a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Dolby Vision HDR adds extra scene by scene picture information to the video stream that compatible screens can use to improve the accuracy and dynamism of their picture playback, while Dolby Atmos creates an immersive three-dimensional audio space around the viewer.
Much of the film was shot in either the 6.5K ARRIRAW format or using IMAX cameras, too, and it was delivered to cinemas in a native 4K master format – all of which bodes well for its 4K Blu-ray appearance.
Disney hasn’t mentioned on this occasion whether the 4K Blu-ray of First Steps will be appearing on a 100GB or 66GB disc, but even if Disney goes its usual route of using the smaller format the film’s 1h 54m run time should be deliverable without the picture being impacted by heavy compression side effects.
Getting into detail on the different 4K Blu-ray editions of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, physical media fans will likely be keen to get their hands on one of the two steelbook editions Disney is releasing. Amazon has exclusive distribution of the most premium, limited edition Steelbook package, which will include alongside the 4K and HD Blu-ray discs a custom magnetic-front variant cover, five collector cards, and a special The Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 comic.
If you don’t manage to get your hands on one of these limited edition Amazon exclusive Steelbook releases, Disney is also releasing a differently designed Steelbook package that will be available on a nationwide basis. This edition features different artwork to the Amazon one and won’t include the collectible cards, comic book and magnetic variant covers the Amazon edition boasts.
Unlike some of Disney’s recent 4K Blu-ray releases, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will also be available nationwide in a “standard” non-Steelbook Cinematic Universe Edition that contains just the 4K and HD Blu-ray discs.
If you haven’t yet made the step up to a 4K Blu-ray player but love collectible physical media, you might want to know that Walmart will be selling an exclusive The Fantastic Four: First Steps HD Blu-ray featuring exclusive “pop-up” artwork, as shown below.
All of Disney’s disc releases for The Fantastic Four: First Steps will feature the following set of bonus features (including a feature-length commentary track):
- Five Deleted Scenes.
- Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
- Fantastic Four Day
- Subterranea
- Birthday Sweater
- Taking Turns
- Gag Reel – Enjoy fun outtakes on set with the cast and crew of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
- Featurettes:
- Meet The First Family – The creation of the Fantastic Four saved Marvel Comics in 1961 and has only flourished as years have passed. Matt Shakman and the cast explain how they found themselves gravitating toward each role and creating the ultimate family unit.
- Fantastic Futurism – The filmmakers discuss the process of immersing the cast and crew in the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Join Matt Shakman and crew as they discuss the experience of shooting in gigantic mid-century New York sets and stepping into an otherworldly era.
- From Beyond and Below – The team explores bringing complex characters from the page to the screen, including a larger-than-life Galactus, grounded Harvey Elder/Mole Man, and an emotionally rich Silver Surfer.
- Audio Commentary – Watch the film with audio commentary by director Matt Shakman and production designer Kasra Farahani.
—
Related Reading
‘The Sound Of Music’ To Get 60th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray Release Featuring Brand New Restoration
Disney Announces 4K Blu-ray Remasters of ‘Tron’ and ‘Tron: Legacy’
‘Back To The Future’ Trilogy Gets New 40th Anniversary Steelbook 4K Blu-ray Release—With Over 90 Minutes Of New Bonus Features
